Pioneer Hi-Bred will have a new source of genes to test for drought tolerance. DuPont, Pioneer’s parent company, signed a research agreement with Rosetta Green, an Israeli plant genetics company. Financial terms of the agreement were not available.

Rosetta Green will identify drought-tolerant traits for Pioneer, and Pioneer will test them in corn and soybeans. The agreement states that Pioneer has an exclusive commercial license for all genes identified in this process.

Rosetta Green develops plant traits using unique genes called microRNAs. MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules in corn, soybeans and other plants, and they function as main bio-switches to control key processes. Rosetta Green's current trait development portfolio includes improved abiotic stress tolerance, increased yield and improved nitrogen use efficiency.